What do you think of women in the fire service?

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Permalink Reply by Brittany on July 1, 2008 at 1:50pm

I'm fortunate. I have never had someone give me grief for being a female. If I can do the job, I do it. If I need help, I get help. If I don't know, I ask. I think attitude is the most important key to this question. If you come in with the attitude (as a male OR a female) that you know everything, and you're hot stuff, or come in LOOKING for someone to give you grief, you're gonna get it. If you come in with the attitude of "I want to learn, please show me" you're going to get a lot further down the road. If you want to do this job-- FF/EMS-- than put your feet where your mouth is and get going, and don't let anyone deter you from accomplishing YOUR goals.

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Permalink Reply by Ittywah on July 2, 2008 at 5:28pm

The main ingredients (in my mind) to being a firefighter is the mindset and ability. Being female or male is not-withstanding. Receiving proper training; using the proper tools, tactics and apparatus; exercising common sense, proper conduct and having compassion (to me) are more important than if you are female or male. "Some" limitations regarding physical strength and size may come into play that are a fact of nature, not ability. Yes, I agree that male egos come into play and females will receive heckling from their male counterparts when it is totally uncalled for. My word to any female who wants to make a career of firefighting is "SHOW YOUR INTENT TO DO THE BEST POSSIBLE JOB" and the respect of your male counerparts will soon follow.

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Permalink Reply by rick kassahn on July 2, 2008 at 6:21pm

i dont think there is anything wrong with women in the fire srevice i know women in the fire service and the can do the job better than some of the guys i know

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Permalink Reply by FETC on July 2, 2008 at 9:11pm

I am by NO means for (or) against saying someone should not allowed in the fire service based on their age / race / sex / disability / etc. What I would like to see, is that EVERYBODY is trained to be mentally, physically and personally able to do this job.

There are weak links in every organization. Is a 400 lbs male firefighter liability? How about a 75 year old firefighter? What about a guy with a serious caridac condition, or asthma, IDDM diabetes, etc. Whether the person is male or female should not be the issue here in 2008, but we should be looking at the health and performance standards that qualify a person to be a firefighter to begin with.

Many have touched on subjects that are not-PC but most have valid points. To join a department to be called a "firefighter" and not meet any standards or demands is wrong. I've seen this post 9-11 with many (male and female) people wanting to become firefighters... and simply can't meet the demands.

I have worked with some very capable/compotent female firefighters and others who weren't... but I also have worked with many male firefighters with the same exact issues.

If you can do the job, kudos to you, have fun and be safe... If you can't, well then shame on the administration.

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Permalink Reply by amanda on July 2, 2008 at 10:14pm

i personally am a woman fire fighter. my department, well, my station, really embraces women. we have 3 women in our station and we are a couple of brutes. they all know that we can do the job. but, of course, we had to prove ourselves. that goes for everyone that enters the station as a probie. everyone gets treated equally and love eachother. we are pretty much family. we all know that if we need anything at all we have a whole station of ppl to call on.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Eades on July 2, 2008 at 10:43pm

Quite honestly, some of the best firefighters I have known have been females. My partner was the first female chief of the Friday Harbor Fire Department, and did a great job; she is still regarded as having been the finest training officer in the history of the department. I find the girls tend to put a lot more thought into their work than alot of guys, and although smaller in stature, they generally have no trouble getting the job done. The ladies have been thoroughly accepted in my neighborhood.

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Permalink Reply by mike on July 2, 2008 at 11:38pm

i think its great. i have women as my interior partner shes great. wouldnt trade her for the world

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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on July 3, 2008 at 6:14pm

Sadly (and you know who you are,) there are some folks out there that will assume upon meeting these officers, that they were promoted (and possibly even hired as well) because they mistakenly assume "Most women and minorities are given an advantage in the Fire Service."

These people should also notice the gap in officers there. 2 women who worked their asses off got the positions and there are NO other female officers. This wasn't favors, or favoritism, it was 100% hard work. Good for them.

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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on July 3, 2008 at 8:50pm

Good on them!! Yes, a point well proven that boobs did not get them where they are today!! Thanks for posting Siren.

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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on July 3, 2008 at 9:26pm

I suppose if you were giving the interview, there is always that chance! ;) In my department, for promotions, you write a tough exam coupled with your years of service. Highest mark can knock out guys with more years of service. it's not perfect, but it's solely objective. Takes the guess work out of it... and the gossip!!

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Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on July 3, 2008 at 9:50pm

It allows some promotions who may not normally get them elsewhere, but it actually did away with the so called "Old Boys Club" and any fear that there may be a fix in the plan (otherwise known as promoting women and minorities without merit). A few cons for a great deal of pros. No system is perfect, but at least everyone seems to be able to live with this one.

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Permalink Reply by david hoyt on July 3, 2008 at 7:20pm

ok to me ...

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